The On The Criminal Justice System And Race Relations

There is so much information in this book that challenges how we view the criminal justice system and race relations. The content of this book is so dense that I had to take a break from reading it for about a week or so. I learned I could not skim or skip because I continually discovered new insights even when I thought I had already gotten it. It almost felt like my brain was rewiring itself as I was reading it. I am still trying to absorb and synthesize all the information. I honestly had no idea how far down the rabbit hole of mass incarceration actually went. It is a powerful and easy read despite its heavy content, well worth the time and emotional energy. Alexander’s research is comprehensive and very well cited. Her arguments are†¦show more content†¦To finally how Black Americans are branded as outcasts by society even if they have a genuine desire to assimilate fit in. Throughout the entire book, Alexander builds a solid case that the criminal justice system has created and perpetuated the racial caste system of the United States, weaving in historical accounts of colonial America, reconstruction, quotes from politicians, a look at the data, and acute analysis. To begin, drug laws have always been about targeting â€Å"specific populations.† Alexander’s book makes the case that the War on Drugs is the latest incarnation of a racial caste system. It describes how the war on drugs and the war on crime under Ronald Reagan, kicked off a series of events that has resulted in the majority of the Black male population in the United States to be either behind bars or suffering with the criminal stigma associated with post-release. When the war on drugs was declared, it was declared almost solely against Black Americans. Urban police forces were given extra training, judicial independence, hardware and personnel to combat drugs. Logically, they largely operated against Black Americans. This leaves Black Americans convicted of having a bag of weed with almost zero choices once they are released except for following a life of crime and more drugs-repeat. This is where the title has its significance. This war on drugs has been coordinated in the post civil